Crews finish rockfall mitigation work along switchbacks on highway north of Sedona
Oct 22, 2024, 4:00 PM
Crews removed loose material and stabilized a cliff face after a March 2023 rockslide on State Route 89A north of Sedona. (Arizona Department of Transportation Photo)
(Arizona Department of Transportation Photo)
PHOENIX – Crews have completed rockfall mitigation work more than a year after a rockslide crashed down on a twisting highway north of Sedona.
The cleanup and work required intermittent closures and restrictions on State Route 89A between Sedona and Flagstaff.
However, all SR 89A restrictions south of the Oak Creek Vista scenic overlook have been lifted, the Arizona Department of Transportation (ADOT) announced last week.
The rockfall mitigation was necessary after heavy rainfall caused a rockslide on the highway in March 2023.
Crews from three ADOT projects have been working to remove loose material and stabilize a cliff face along the switchbacks in the area of the rockslide.
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They also installed a new pipeline to direct storm runoff away from the cliff face and toward Oak Creek.
What else was done for SR 89A rockfall mitigation?
In addition, crews made improvements to the Pumphouse Wash Bridge near the switchbacks and completed an erosion and sediment control project.
The work also included the removal of a large rock overhang just north of Sedona.
Contracts for the three construction projects added up to $11.1 million, ADOT said.
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